Near Bodega in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Running Fence

September 10, 1976

By Barry Swackhamer, February 5, 2015

1. Running Fence Marker

Caption: Photo courtesy of Christo and Jeanne-Claude

Inscription. On September 11, 2001 the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma selected this site to commemorate the contribution of Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Their vision, dedication and perseverance made the Running Fence possible. This art project consisted of: 42 months of collaborative efforts with ranch property owners participation, 18 public hearings, 3 sessions of Superior Court, an environmental impact report and the temporary use of the hills, sky, and ocean. Rising from the Pacific Ocean south of Bodega Bay the 18 foot high 24.5 mile long Running Fence ran west to east following the rolling hills of Marin and Sonoma counties to Cotati ridge.

Erected by Regional Parks Foundation.

Location. 38° 21.352′ N, 122° 56.311′ W. Marker is near Bodega, California, in Sonoma County. Marker is on Bodega Highway, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15538 Bodega Highway, Bodega CA 94922, United States of America.

More about this marker. This marker is located beside the school at Watson School Historic Park.

Also see . . . Running Fence - Wikipedia. The piece was the subject of a 1978 documentary film Running Fence by Albert and David Maysles.[3] The film includes scenes showing the local response to the project, which ranged from excitement to resentment and active protest. Several Californians including Expressionist painter Byron Randall protested the piece on the grounds of both land infringement and lack of artistic merit; however others appreciated the beauty of the work and in the end the project was completed.(Submitted on February 8, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on February 8, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 214 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 8, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.